Hotel Rooms - Part 3

The Helsinki Ulla Hilton. If you stay here you're probably visiting the world famous Rubber Boot company - that many consumers believe to be Japanese.

The rooms are spacious - with big windows that open - and the bathrooms have separate shower and bathtub (given that I travel alone, I don't know why I like this, but I do.) The breakfasts are lavish BUT the dinner food makes British hotel fare seem gastronomical. The best item on the evening menu is a microwaved tortilla wrap served with crisps. The hotel must be doing its bit to support the local taxi trade and downtown Helsinki restaurants.

The spa is like the evil villain's bunker in a James Bond film. One takes a lift several levels underground, and then a narrow tunnel under the parking lot, until, around the corner, one happens upon chubby pink Finns frolicking in the wading pool by the edge of the fjord. All wearing bathing suits, mind you.